Incapacitation can occur due to illness, injury, or age-related cognitive decline, and it can leave you unable to make decisions about your health, finances and other crucial matters.
Family members and loved ones may face difficulty making decisions on your behalf if you don’t have the necessary plans in place. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead for the possibility of incapacitation. Here is what you need to do.
Have a living will
A living will is a legal document that outlines your wishes regarding medical procedures, end-of-life care, and pain management, among other healthcare decisions. It comes into play when you are unable to communicate due to incapacitation.
Leaving clear instructions on what you want will save your loved ones the trouble of making such sensitive decisions.
Designate someone to act on your behalf
You can appoint an agent to make decisions for you upon incapacitation using a power of attorney (POA) document. When you give another person the legal authority to act in your place, your kin will not have to go through lengthy and expensive court procedures to seek conservatorship.
Regularly update your estate plans
Preparing for incapacitation is not a one-time event. You need to review and update legal documents regularly, especially if there are any changes in your life or family situation. It will ensure that everything is in place and that the appointed agents are still able and willing to serve in their roles.
Understand your options
It is always a good idea to seek professional insights and get a clear overview of how things work and the pros and cons of each option. With the necessary information, it will be a lot easier to make informed decisions that will protect your loved ones.